It is very foggy in Nemuro. That is something of an understatement. To understand how foggy it is here, first you must know that the locals have not one, but two words for fog that aren’t used elsewhere in Hokkaido. It’s so foggy that people had to find new ways if taking about fog. The Japanese for fog is kiri 霧 (きり). Here in Nemuro it’s jiri (じり) or gasu (ガス).

The fog can make you feel colder than even the snow or wind. It’s a damp cold that settles in your bones and makes you feel old. My heater is whirring and I’m all bundled up, but I still feel cold. I probably will until July.

In other news, this blog post is coming from my phone as I only have limited Internet these days. Rationing my usage has been a bit of a struggle. I’m trying to save it for essential things, like my blogging, booking my journey home and only very cutest videos of fluffy creatures. It’s tough. I am getting more writing done though.

After a rather miserable couple of days (brought on by bureaucracy), part of my cheering up programme was a research trip to Lake Akan. Fondling fuzzy green balls and bathing on a rooftop is a good way to spend an afternoon. The other part of the cheering was talking to wonderful people on Skype. I am very glad to be living in the future.

Between loved ones and moss balls, I think I should be able to face the upcoming week. Hopefully.

I counted up today that I have only 60 days of work left in Japan. 60 days, doesn’t seem like much. And after those 60 days (and their associated weekends) I will be setting off on my grand tour of Japan, before heading back to Britain. Then it’s only a few weeks before I’m off on my next great adventure. (Note to self, book travel insurance.)

I like counting down to things. It helps me stay focused on making the most of the passage of time. They are all lined up and heading in the same direction.

My second Tofugu article was just published.

There was so much more I could have said about learning to drive in Japan. So many weird moments, like the time my instructor started talking about 666 the number of the beast. Or the giant bat of remorse. Or the way I screeched to a halt at a yellow light on my test, but still managed to pass. I think driving school will be coming up again in my writing soon.

My first article published on Tofugu.com!

It feels pretty great to have something published for the first time. This is only the start. Determination station!

I knew I wanted to write about bears. Living with bears on the doorstep has been an interesting experience. When I throw out my rubbish I have to put it in a cage. That cage has been patched up with plywood after a bear had a go at it a few years ago. It’s a little bit more worrying than foxes getting into your wheelie-bin.

As with most writing, it begins with putting words on the page. In this case the words were, “As with most writing, it begins with putting words on the page,” which will have to do for now. Hopefully better words will be along shortly.